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Southampton: Weighing up the long-term/short-term manager debate

By Chris Hughes

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Marco Silva, Manager of Watford looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Watford at Etihad Stadium on January 2, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: Marco Silva, Manager of Watford looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Watford at Etihad Stadium on January 2, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Southampton are currently in the hunt for a new manager but it remains unclear whether they will look for a permanent replacement or simply one until the end of the season.

The latest reports have suggested that ex-Stoke City boss Mark Hughes could agree a short-term deal until the summer but as ever with Southampton, nothing is set in concrete.

The Saints made the decision to sack Mauricio Pellegrino last night after a run of just one league win from their last 18 – in truth the Argentine should’ve really been gone at Christmas.

But looking forward Les Reed and co. will look to wrap up a deal for a new boss within the next 48 hours, in order to allow enough time for him to get his tactics across before the FA Cup game against Wigan this weekend.

But who should Southampton be looking to employ? The immediate option is a short-term boss – an interim gaffer until the end of the season. The issue with that is, a manager would be putting their reputation on the line?

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MARCH 10: Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino on the touch line during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MARCH 10: Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino on the touch line during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /

At the end of the day the season is nearly over – the manager wouldn’t get January to bring in new talent or have a few weeks to lay his foundations. They would have to hit the ground running and their C.V could potentially be tarnished if they fail to keep Southampton afloat in the Premier League.

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The issue is, at this point in the season, would Southampton be able to recruit a long-term appointment?

When the club’s supporters think of potential managerial targets, they look to Andre Villas-Boas, Peter Bosz, Marco Silva or Thomas Tuchel – the chances of getting them in their current situation are extremely slim.

The Saints could realistically go down this season and therefore the chances of bringing a manager with European experience would be almost impossible – they need to think about the short-term before thinking about the years to come.

But would a manager like Mark Hughes be so content with a two or three month contract? Whilst reports suggest he may do so, a recently-sacked manager with PL experience like the Welshman would normally drive a harder bargain and at least look for an 18-month deal like Sam Allardyce did with Everton.

Marco Silva remains an obvious candidate following his dismissal at Watford late last year, but he has shown himself to be a manager constantly on the search for improvement and a step-up. Would he be interested in a move to a side beneath both the Hornets and the side who tried to recruit him in the Toffees?

The news tonight that Hughes may be willing to sign on an interim/short-term basis is great news for the Saints and their fans. The 54-year-old is outspoken and would almost certainly give the players the boot up the backside that they need, but the supporters would be lying if they were to say he’s the perfect long-term option.